LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

©I^HjtX-S^.lx^ig^ ;|0, 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



THE TALE OF THE 



Children of Lamech 



Jl JPOEM. 



JAMES A. WHITNEY, LL.D. 



lHfl4> -^ 



NEW YORK: 
N. TIBBALS & SONS, 

124 Nassau Street. 
1885. 



feT3 



Copyright, 1885, 

BY 

JAMES A. WHITNEY. 

All Rights Reserved. 



TO THE MEMORY OF MY FATHER, 

AMAZIAH WHITNEY, 

WHO DIED THIRTY YEARS AGO. 

A MAN OF KINDLY HEART AND GENTLE WAYS, 

WHO, FROM YOUTH TO AGE, 

FEARED GOD AND KEPT HIS COMMANDMENTS. 

THIS VOLUME 

' IS REVERENTLY INSCRIBED. 



THE TALE OF THE 

CHILDREN OF LAMECH 



Not yet the memory of Eden lost 

Had faded from the tribes whose scatter'd paths 

Threaded the plain of Shinar. In their veins 

Still ran the juices of the bitter fruit 

Borne by the tree of life : so centuries 

Must come to men ere yet their wasting strength 

Bade them remember that the Lord had said 

That dust from Earth must unto Earth return. 

And generations seven from the loins 

Of Adam sprang and peopled the new land 



CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 



Beyond the Gihon. And still Adam walked, 
Though broken with deep delving of the ground 
And wearied with old sorrows unforgot, 
Among the sons of men. And in his age 
Watched with the sheep of Enoch and his sons, 
Yet ever looked he eastward to the walls 
Of the dark city in the land of Nod 
That evil Cain had builded. 

In that day 
All they were shepherds who from Seth had sprung, 
Seth, who had come because of Abel slain, 
For theirs the heritage of Abel's flocks 
And Abel's peaceful ways, and Abel's lore 
Of what the skies foretold, and whence the wind 
Came driving fleecy clouds that to the herbs 
Gave nourishing of rain. And to and fro 
And round about the pastures grazed the flocks, 
Yet ever turning, so that far away 
Against the sky the city rose to view: 



CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 



And all around its walls the fields were green 
With thrift of tillage. .When the plains were brown 
In the parched summer the far slopes gave forth 
A growing glimmer of soft gold, and soon 
The yellow harvests shone. 

And so the sons 
Of Seth were shepherds on the pasture plain. 
And those of Cain were toilers in the hills. 

Ever upon the plain when fell the night 
And flocks were gather'd close, the wand'rers saw 
The calm clear stars shine thro' the azure sky : 
And saw that some were steadfast in their place, 
Unchanging and unchanged ; and chief of these 
The one that glowed unfailing o'er the hills 
From which the rivers flowed. And others marked 
That slowly swept the heavens night by night, 
Changing from what they were, yet sought again 
The place from whence they came : and most of all 



CHILDREN OF LAM ECU. 



Of these the star that broader shone anear 
The even and the dawn. 



The solitude 
Was filled with wondrous silence, and they dreamed 
To mark the pathways of the skies and know 
The marvel of the stars. And year by year 
Their wisdom grew : and so foretold the days, 
The coming of the seasons, of the rain 
To quench the desert drouth, the aridness 
When heaven's windows should be shut and so 
The wrath of the high sun should smite the earth : 
And forecast all the comings of the winds. 
Upon broad stones they marked the thrones of all 
The stars that steadfast were ; and marked the 

course 
Of those that went upon appointed ways ; 
So that Seth's sons and daughters knew the paths 
Trod bv the hosts of heaven. 



CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 



In the hills 
The toilers delved the earth and searched the mold, 
Seeking the secret of each seed that swelled 
And sprang to leaf and stem. Observantly 
They saw the slow unwearied spiders spin, 
The fox his dwelling dig, the bird its nest 
Build deftly in the branches. Of each herb 
They marked the hidden virtue, and each tree 
To them gave knowledge. And they wrought their 

tasks, 
Each diligent to learn the secret craft 
Whereby or bird or beast or insect kept 
Its place within the world, for like to these 
They dwelt within the land. From out the earth 
To them came lore of safety, and its fruits 
Were plenteous to them. And so the sons 
Of Cain had knowledge of the woods and fields. 
And ever from the hills the toilers marked 
The idling shepherds on the lands below. 
And ever by their sheep the shepherds told 



CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 



Loud scornful tales of those upon the hills. 

Yet back and forth the traders came and went, 

For these the fruitage of the hills required, 

While those had need of yield from out the flocks. . 

And often, envious, to the golden land 

Where the blithe harvests waved, the lowland swains 

Gazed eastward from the plain. And from the slopes 

Of the high fields the tillers paused to see 

The lowland maidens wait the sheep beside, 

That grazed upon the wastes. 

And in that day, 
Saving of Abel slain, no death had come 
Unto the seed of Adam. 

Cain had gone. 
His city builded, from among his sons, 
Nor knew they whence or whither : oftentimes 
Alike on plain and hillside came the tale 
Of who had seen him in far alien ways 



CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 



And known him by the terror in his eye, 

The lofty forehead and the blanched cheek 

And snowy beard disheveled, and the wail 

Of his shrill voice upon the wind that cried 

The while he fled from them. And oftentimes 

They told of his strange knowledge of the earth 

And all that dwelt therein. How he had seen 

A wasp beside a rock a wall uprear 

Of thin damp clay in tiny fragments borne, 

And molded cunningly, until his home 

The insect finished and was lord thereof. 

And how he saw an ant in lusty soil 

Bury a kernel that in time did bring 

An hundred fold of kernels. And from these 

Learned how to build the city and to plant 

The loamy wastes around. 

In lapse of time 
The generations came that called him sire. 
And spoke hi pride that strong within their veins 



CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 



There coursed the blood of Cain. And Lamech came, 

The latest born of them, and sturdily 

Grew to man's stature ; and his voice was Cain's 

But had no tremor of a terror borne 

Unceasing through the years, and in his eye 

Shone the clear light the legends said of old 

Was in the eye of Cain ere he afar 

Fled from the wrath on High. And in his look, 

Haughty and stern, the front of Cain was seen 

Devoid of all its woe. And Lamech grew 

The greatest of the young men of the hills 

In knowledge of the fields and of the woods, 

And of the signs of fruitage and the chase ; 

Strongest in arm and fleetest of the foot. 

And richest in the spoil the harvest days 

Gave to the toil of tillage. 

Love, since the ray 
Of the first sunshine fell upon the earth, 
Hath urged to passion all things animate. 



CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 



And all of sentient nature thrills and sways ■ 
Beneath its touch of fire. And Lamech loved 
As loved the tigers that his arrows slew 
Amid the reeds of Gihon. Fierce and strong, 
Yet restless and uncertain in his heart : 
For of his tribe was Zillah, in whose face 
And in whose form a royal beauty shone. 
A virgin fearless in the woods and wilds 
And skilled in learning of the fruitful fields : 
Clear eyed and bronzed with the far blown winds 
And am'rous touch of sunshine. Her he loved ; 
Yet often thought how once in the dark night 
He crept anear a watchfire on the plain 
So still no watcher heard him, and he saw 
Adah, the shepherdess, beside the flame. 
Her fair face kindled in its transient light ; 
And heard her voice low crooning on the air 
A sad and simple song. And saw her turn 
T'ward where the star of even blazed and sank, 
With wistful eyes and tender, ere her head, 



lo CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 

She drooped in peaceful sleep. All this he bore, 
A picture constant in his wayward thought : 
Vea, even while to Zillah his rude voice 
Softened to tender accents, and he won 
The pride of all the hills. The marriage morn 
Sank into crimson evening, and the night 
And morning followed fast, and in his thoughts 
As in his dreams the face of Adah shone. 

Beside the flocks of Enoch, Adam staid 

As was his wont. And lifting his dulled eyes 

Saw near a stalwart form, and ere he knew 

Cried, wherefore comest Cain ? for he forgot 

The centuries agone, and by him stood 

One with the look of Cain and with his strength, 

And with Cain's scornful beauty ere the Lord 

Smote him in holy anger. 

• With a cry, 

Such as the wild wolves make, the flocks were scared 



CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 



So that they scattered. When, the turmoil o'er, 
The sons of Enoch sought their place again 
And called their sister, Adah, came no voice 
To answer unto them. But far away 
They saw the men of Lamech hasting fast 
Toward the distant hills, and Adah's arms 
Flung high to ask for pity ; and they saw 
The strong-limbed Lamech turn and from his bow 
Deririve throw an idle arrow back. 

So Lamech outraged all the law, and sin 

Lay heavy on his heart, and he grew stern 

And bitter in his ways ; and to his eyes 

There came Cain's haunted look. And day by day 

He sought the mystery of the herbs that grew 

Beneath his feet, and of the trees that rose 

To give him shelter in the sultry noons ; 

Of all the ways of beasts that trod the wilds, 

And birds that winged in air, of creeping things, 

Yea, and the changes that the flame could bring 



CHILDREX OF LAMECH. 



Unto the very earth, as how the heat 
Of the low hearth-fire turned the clay to stone : 
And all were clear to him. Yet grew his gloom, 
For sin was in his heart. And Zillah sought 
To cheer him with her praises of his strength, 
His riches in the fields, his valor shown 
In dangers of the chase. And Adah sang 
Her shepherd songs to please him, and the tales 
Of her own people told ; but bitterness 
Was in the heart of Lamech. All he knew 
Gave him of pride and scorn, and oft his voice 
Was raised against the shepherds. So, they said, 
Let us assail him, for a score can strike 
Where one would fall before him. Let us go 
And smite him in the field. They crept anear, 
But Lamech heard the crackling of a branch 
Beneath a careless hand, and drew his bow 
And the straight arrow sent, and, lo ! a cry 
Of mortal anguish to the skies went up, 
While fast the foemen fled, save one who lay 



CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 13 

With blanching face and red blood flowing fast 
And breath that slowly ceased. 

And Lamech paled, 
For never yet since Abel died a voice 
Like this had risen to the Lord on high. 

A little while he waited dazed and faint, 
And saw the dry ground drink the crimson stream. 
Then deeply digged the place and buried there 
The foeman slain, and o'er him spread the waste 
And old haulm of the vines. And Zillah cried, 
They will return and slay thee ! and the words 
Of Adah rose lamenting, they will come. 
Thine enemies, and slay thee ! And they wept 
Fearing the vengeance of the after days. 

Then Lamech said : Oh ! women, hearken me, 
I slew him who would slay me in my fields, 
And mine own home I guarded. Even so 



14 CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 



The eagles kill the hawks that seek their nests. 

A vengeance seven-fold shall smite the head 

Of him whose hand against our father, Cain, 

Is raised in anger : and more great than this, 

Yea, seventy-and-seven fold, the wrath 

Shall smite the wretch that seeketh Lamech's harm. 

And so consoled them, and the even came 

With falling dew and coolness, and the dusk. 

Then they their watchfire kindled ; and the dark 

Gathered around its flame. The smoky light 

Now rose, now fell, and swayed as swept the wind 

With mournful soughing from the wilderness. 

And as they sat beside it, high and far 

A hound's shrill baying rose upon the air 

And near and nearer came. They knew the cry. 

For whoso heard it in the lonesome wilds 

Or in the fens or in the stony wastes 

Knew Cain was wand'ring there. For when he went, 

A vagabond and outcast, pityingly 

The dog that watched with Abel by the flocks 



CHILDREN OF LAMECII, 



Followed his steps : for so the Lord had will'd 
Lest Cain, forsaken and alone, should die 
Ere he repentance knew. 



The low fire sank 
Its embers dulled beneath an ashen crust. 
And still beside it Lamech sat and heard 
The hound's deep voice draw nearer, while the dark 
Grew deeper all around till from it came 
The stately form of Cain, with hoary locks 
And knotted staff in knotted fingers borne. 
With furrowed brow, but in his sunken eyes 
A light recognizant, as if a sign 
Had drawn him hither for the welcoming 
Of one with kindred thought. And J>amech knelt, 
For in those days men honored thus their sires, 
And bade him welcome, and his vesture laid 
Upon the breast of Cain, for now the chill 
Of midnight lay upon the darkling air : 



i6 CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 

And Adah knelt, and Zillah, and their words 
Were those that Lamech spoke. 

The hearthfire leapt 
To meet dry branches thrown thereon, and soon, 
The first words ended, in the flick'ring light 
They sat in silence. For the face of Cain 
Bore look inscrutable, and fitfully 
A dark gleam came into his eyes, and oft 
Upon his lips wrath seemed to rise and die. 
And oft he turned as if to speak, and then 
Hushed the half uttered words. 



Until at last 
Lamech, whose thoughts kept rhythm with his own, 
Said, Tell the tale of all thy journeys past. 
For I am Lamech, and my father, Cain, 
Hath welcome in my home : and like to him 
May be the sons of Lamech evermore. 



CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 



17 



Then Cain his hoary forehead bowed and wept 
Ere he could answer him. 

Long centuries 
Are gone since first my footsteps sought the wilds, 
And seven generations from my loins 
Have peopled these fair hills, and plenteously 
They harvest of my wisdom in the fields, 
And profit from the secrets 1 have drawn 
From out the breasts of earth, yet not to them 
The power to keep me from the wilderness 
Or lure me to the ways of peaceful men : 
'Vo yield me shelter from the sun and storm, 
Or share with them the thoughts that Cain hath borne 
Throughout the weary years. So unto all 
The lips of Cain are silent, and his thoughts 
And memories he speaketh unto none 
Save thee and thine. 

Then rose the voice of Cain 
At first as if he knew a list'ner conned 



i8 CHILDREN OF LAM ECU. 



The purport of his words, and then more free 
As if in reverie. 

I, the first born, 
Beheld the earth mine heritage, nor dreamed 
Of any sharing it. Upon my head 
My father's hand lay kindly and his lips 
Knew naught of chiding, and my mother's eyes. 
Aye the soft eyes of Eve, gazed on me oft 
In pride and benison, until he came, 
Abel, my brother, whose low cooing words 
Made my rough voice seem harsh ; whose winsome 

ways 
To Adam's furrowed face brought eager smile. 
And to Eve's eyes a look of deeper joy : 
While I, neglected, sought the paths that led 
Into the outland wastes, and brooded there, 
Yet found dominion o'er the sheep that strayed, 
And drove them here and yon. But as he grew 
He called them from me with deceitful voice 



CHILDREM OF LAMECH. 19 

So that they followed him. And I who drave 
Was powerless to lure. So, in the wastes 
He drew them from me and their spoil was his, 
The fat flesh of the firstlings and the fleece. 
And I, who in the wilderness had watched. 
Had seen the flocks from out the herbage seek 
The tasseled tops of that which highest grew 
And eat the milky kernels, said, ]]ehold, 
When the hot sun upon the spires doth lie 
And all its warmth is theirs ; when on the earth 
Its fervor mingles with the dews below 
There comes the greater yield. And so I digged 
And mellowed the deep earth, and all around 
Drew forth the herbs of poison. Soon I saw 
The tremulous green leaves broaden and the spires 
Grow higher in their strength ; and saw the ear 
In deeper tinge of gold bend lower still 
Beneath its wealth of kernels. So I wrought. 
And harvests that the earth had never known 
Sprang from the toil of Cain. 



CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 



Yet oft I gazed 
Into the distance, and the idle sheep 
The idle Abel followed in content, 
While I in sun and tempest delved the earth. 
And he knew naught save that the world was fair- 
That suns were warm and pleasant, thai the rain 
Made sweeter herbage for his wand'ring flocks ; 
That the high stars were kindly with their light 
Sprinkled from blue skies when the day was gone ; 
That long, sweet whistle drifted on the wind 
Would make the sheep return, that murmured low. 
His voice could call the wild bird from the wing 
To nestle on his hand. 

And I who toiled, 
Who knew the secret that each wilding herb 
Bore in its drooping leaves, and its root. 
And in its bloom and fruitage ; I who knew 
How bird and beast and insect built its home 
And warred against the world, and lived its life 



CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 21 

By dint of its own courage ; I who brought, 
With mine own wisdom, from the sodden soil, 
Of harvests fairer than had Eden known. 
Was mocked of all his laughter idly cast 
On idle winds afloat, from idle lips 
Of him who loitered on the idle plains ; 
While I was delving in the wearied earth 
With weary heart and heavy, from the dawn 
Unto the setting of the fervid sun. 
Yet often when afar in dark were hid 
His gathered flocks around him in the night, 
I saw the twinkle of the fire he lit 
Beside his resting place. And well I knew 
He looked toward the hills and saw the flame 
Flicker and tremble on the distant slope 
Where Cain, his brother, slept. And in the day 
I saw the wand'ring column of the smoke 
Rise from the smold'ring brands he careful kept 
Lest on the air the cherished fire should die 
And all its light be gone. And oft my thoughts 



22 CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 

Of bitterness would vanish as I saw 
The far flame ghtter or the smoke arise : 
For oft my heart was heavy in the fields 
And lonely in the solitary ways. 

The swift years came and went with scarce the sign 
That wings of birds make in the river reeds, 
Nor conscious lapse of time, until one eve 
The storms arose and all the floods were high, 
And the great rain came down and all the land 
Was covered with the rain. And all the flame 
That he and I had kindled, and the brands 
Low smoldering to keep the fires, went out 
And died in darkness. 



And the morning came 
With calm, clear sunshine ; but no hearth fire blazed 
Beside the hut of Cain or on the plains 
Whereon the white flocks fed. 



CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 23 

'Twas then we said 
Forth from the darkhng skies the fire doth come, 
Launched from the Lord's right hand ; so let us build 
Each one his altar of dry, crisping herbs. 
And branches of the trees that storms have wrenched 
From their deep hold in earth ; and on it lay- 
Meet offering to Him who fire withholds 
Or gives it at His will. 

And so we wrought 
Each one to build his altar, and at last 
There came a clouded eve when in the sky 
The clouds were black with darkness, save when 

cleaved 
At its far edge the shiver'd shafts of flame : 
And then our task was ended, and we laid. 
Each on the altar builded by his hands, 
Our offerings to the Lord. A firstling, grown 
Without of care or labor, Abel gave 
And invocation made with pleading words 



24 CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 

That had the sound of cooing of the doves, 

And waiUng of the kestrels in the nest, 

The soughing of the night winds on the plain. 

And all things sweet and tender that may move 

The heart to yielding and to kindliness. 

And I of sheaves dragged from the stubborn earth, 

Made fruitful by my labor, laid upon 

My altar pile and waited ; and my voice 

Was harsh upon the wind, for I who knew 

To conquer by my strength had not of words 

Wherewith to plead. 

Then in the roar ' 
Of the great tempest, when the firmament 
Seemed rent in twain, and cloven the far sky 
With broken bolts of flame, there fell the fire 
And kindled Abel's altar. And a calm 
Came from the storm and the fair morning brake 
And him the Lord had answered, but my sheaves 
Lay drooping where the wind had strown them far, 



CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 25 

And rain had beaten them ; and all forlorn 
My altar rose dishonored in the light, 
And I was wroth. 

I saw the lambent sun 
Glow at the heaven's border in the east, 
I saw it overhead and midway gone 
Upon its daily journey ; but between 
Within my memory no hour is lain 
Or conscious is to me. 

But at my feet 
He lay with his fair forehead bruised and gray : 
And his dark eyes were closed, and in his hand 
He bore the slender brand that he had touched 
To the new kindled altar ; on his face 
The kindly look he bore long years agone. 
When in his childish play he brought to me 
The gift of fledglings from a nest he found 
Low sheltered in the herbs. 



26 , CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 

I gazed afar ; 
And all the flocks were mine that fled from me. 
The fair broad plains were mine inheritance, 
For they were his no more. Yet not again 
Should Cain look forth from shelter of the hills 
And see the fair flame flicker in the night 
To tell where Abel slept, or in the morn 
The welcome smoke arise to mark the way 
Cain's brother wandered in the pastures wide : 
And sorrow crept upon me at the thought 
That Abel's eyes should look on Cain no more. 
And anguish came upon me and with fear 
My heart grew heavy. And I bore him far, 
Nor dared to lay the deathly burden by ; 
Or knew how I should hide it from the sight 
Of the all-seeing Lord. And agony 
Grew strong and stronger as the days went on ; 
And I dared not to leave him by the way. 
For often as I went, I turned and came 
And bore him thence again, till merciful 



CHILDREN OF LAM ECU. 27 

In their wild anger fell two ravens down 

With beak and talon tearing, and one died, 

And one did dig the loam and in it laid 

The one he vanquished, and the brown earth 

smoothed 
And went his way. So, seeing, thus I digged ; 
Then over all my burden spread the earth 
To hide it so away. 



Then on the wind 
I heard the fearful whisper of the Lord. 
And answered it deceitful. And I heard 
The words of doom come forth from out the air. 
A vagabond I went. My wand 'ring feet 
Found never rest among the sons of men : 
Nor in the gorges of the wilderness, 
Or on the burning plain, or in the vales 
Where peaceful waters flow, was peace to me. 
The flocks were scattered, but I sought them not ; 



28 CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 

And the broad plains were fair but not to me 
Was their sweet verdure pleasant. 

Slow the breeze 
Rustled the dead leaves of the yester year, 
Crimson the embers sank, while here and there 
A dry twig caught in momentary blaze, 
Then fell and vanished. And the light grew dull 
That shone on Cain's dark face : and when his voice 
Quavered and trembled at the last, he saw 
That Lamech's eyes were hidden by his hand, 
And Zillah's head upon her knee was bowed 
In passionate sobbing : and soft Adah threw 
Her arms upon his neck, and weeping cried. 
Oh ! Cain, our father, would that we could bear, 
Yea, we the young and strong, the bitter woe. 
The guerdon of thy sin. 

Then gloomily, 
As if her pity stung him, with a smile 



CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 29 

Sharpened with anguish on his Hps, he laid 
Her arms aside and rose. His lofty form 
Majestic stood against the darkened sky, 
And the dull firelight gleamed upon his brow, 
Upon his strong arms, and upon his hands 
With knotted fingers clasped upon his staff, 
And on his hair that wavered in the wind 
That rustled the dead leaves. Anon, his voice 
Gaining new calm, he said : — 

A vagabond 
I went and wandered in the wilderness, 
And by far rivers, and in mountain glens : 
Upon the utmost summits of the hills. 
Within dark caverns of the tow'ring cliffs. 
In pleasant meadows, that with blossoms strown 
Were like the vales of Eden in the tales 
That Eve, my mother, told, yea, everywhere 
I heard a murmur that was not of words. 
Yet seemed to call to me — No more, no more 



30 CHILDREN OF LAM ECU. 

Peace cometh unto Cain. And oft I said, 
He cannot meet me in the darkling paths. 
Or in the golden sun ; above him grows 
The verdure of the plain. Yet, oft his voice 
Seemed mingled with the soughing of the wind : 
And in the wakeful night I heard a step 
That seemed the step of Abel, till its sound 
Low died within the dark. And then, again, 
I said, he can not cry, nor can he tread 
The fair earth any more. 

There came a day 
When, broken with sore travail, by the shore, 
Far to the east, of ever surging floods, 
I stood and marked the strength of rolling waves 
Returning and receding, and the sand 
Lay naked to the sun, and all the light 
Of the high noon was there. 

And on the sands. 
Yea, on the bare shore, in the light of noon, 



CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 31 

He Stood, my brother, and his face was wan 

With infinite sorrow, and no wrath was his. 

Awhile he waited, then into the air 

He vanished, and was gone. The dusk night came, 

And cool the far winds from the waters crept 

Upon me in my sleep. Again I saw 

The troubled face of Abel, and his voice 

Came to me in my dreams. The earth shall writhe 

As green leaves writhe in all consuming fire, 

And in that day, he said, before the Lord 

Shall Cain come forth for judgment. And I woke, 

And over me the face of Abel bowed, 

Then faded in the dawn. 

I rose and saw 
On the high beach a tiny rounded clod 
Tremble and break, and from its heart came forth 
A creature winged and buoyant, and I knew 
The Lord had sent a sign. So, from the earth, 
I said, hath Abel risen, and he lives 



32 CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 

New-born within the air. And Cain shall live, 
Nor ever from his soul the burden fall 
Of his undying sin. 

Low Zillah cried 
To hear the words of Cain, and Adah wept 
Anear his feet, and Lamech's troubled eyes 
Were cast upon the ground. 

The voice of Cain 
Again the silence broke, with prouder tone, 
As if he scorned the sorrow that they bore 
In sympathy with him. 

Beside my feet 
Lay myriad shells from the far deep upborne. 
Of these I gathered of the small and great. 
And with the gray sand filled them one by one, 
Pouring from one to one until I found 



CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 33 

That counting seven of the one it filled 

The greater shell among them. And my sons 

Measure the harvest kernels as the sand 

I measured on that day. I saw a reed 

Lie stranded by the waves. I broke it twice 

And twice and twice again : and with it laid 

A long length of the shore in certain space, 

And with its parts I marked the lesser width 

Of wet gray sand. Across my hand I laid 

A fragment of the reed, and of the shells. 

The seven little shells made balance fair 

To that which greatest was, and so this day 

Ye weigh the fatlings that your traders bring 

From the white flocks of Seth : and whoso bounds, 

The while the earth endures, his fruitful fields. 

Or whoso tells the tale of harvests done 

And gathered from the ear, or of the yield 

Of fleece or flesh from patient flocks, shall share 

The careful craft of Cain, for Cain hath drawn 

This knowledge from the sea-shells and the reed. 



34 CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 

Yea, more than this the thought of Cain that day, 
Did grasp beside the sea. 

A lowly nest 
Close woven by the wild fowl, on the shore 
Of the far heaving waters, loosed and went 
Drifting upon the surge, and in it slept 
The fledglings all unharmed the while the spray 
Tossed white above them. And I said, behold ! 
Had Cain but ax more keen than flinty edge, 
Slow sharpened on the rock, the lordly trees 
Would fall beneath his strokes and he would shape 
And bind their mighty stems, till on the wave 
They floated like the nest ; and if there came 
Days like to those ere Adam was. when all 
The earth was waves and heavv darkness lay 
Upon the waters, all the tribes of Cain, 
Yea, and the sons of Seth, and all the fields 
And woods have holden of the beasts that roam. 
Would safety find upon them till again 



CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 35 

The breath of the great Lord should Hft the dark, 
And cast the waves away. Then, pondering, 
I sought a river's banks and wove the reeds, 
And clad them with the pitchy earth the sun 
Softens beneath its touch, and lo, they rode 
Upon the waters like the wild fowl's nest. 

So, Cain, upborne, was master of the floods, 
And in his wanderings no longer paused 
Because of the wide waters. 

From the shores. 
Where the still river slept, the broad plain reached 
Far inland to the hills, and high thereon 
Grew slender shining reeds that in the sun 
Glistened and shone, and when the tempests came 
Bended and rose and writhing each on each 
Made crackling in the wind. There came a night 
When Cain lay wakeful in the restless reeds, 
And saw each clash on each until a flame 



36 CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 

Sprang from their wrestling as the flinty stems 
Ground one upon another. Then he brake 
A shining reed and strong, and as the wind 
Clashed the high waving stems, he clashed again 
The fragments in his hand until there sprung 
A living fire forth from them. And he bore 
The flaming splinters thence unto the hills. 
Clad with the arid grass, and touched the fire 
To the dry herbage. 

And the flame rose high 
And the dark smoke was lifted on the winds, 
Yea, even to the skies, and all the night 
Was changed to light of day, and near and far 
The mighty volume rolled ; the hoary trees 
Were stricken so they fell, the pleasant meads 
Lay withered where it passed, the lion's roar 
Grew faint and further as he fled in fear ; 
And all that could not flee, or bird or beast 
Or winged or creeping thing, was seared and so 



CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 2>1 



Was perished in the flame ; save Cain alone 
Whose craft had brought the fire from out the reed 
And launched it on the world. 

And forth I went 
And climbed the blasted hiUtop in the morn 
To gaze upon the plain, and desolate 
Its blackened reaches lay, and at its edge 
The flame crept cunning and the smoke rose slow. 
And I, the outcast, Cain, exultantly 
Looked forth upon it, for my hand had thrown 
My anger on the earth, as from the skies 
The mighty Lord had brandished forth the flame : 
And Cain, the vagabond, had power like Him 
Who kindled Abel's altar, and whose wrath 
Doomed Cain a wanderer whose alien feet 
Knew peaceful ways no more. 

The wind more chill 
Blew from the highland valleys, and the clouds 



3S CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 

Grew darker overhead ; the embers' glow, 

Half hidden by the ashes, grew more faint ; 

Yet on the face of Cain their slender light 

Was calm and steadfast, and his proud eye shone 

Exultant as he spake. He paused, and then 

As if recalling all the sorrow past, 

Spake with a voice more soft. So Cain hath wrought, 

Yet all in vain, because that Abel lured 

The foolish flocks away, and unto him 

Fell fire to light his altar long ago. 

Then Adah spake. From her wet eyes no more 
Came the fast dropping tears, and slow her voice 
Thus answered unto Cain : 

Thy daughter's heart 
Is full of anguish for thee, yet her lips 
Must bear thee witness of the truth they tell 
Who guard the flocks of Seth, where Adam dwells : 
For he, thy father, knoweth all the tale 



CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 39 



Of what befell ere Abel's altar fire 
Rose lambent at the dawn to fall away 
And perish ere the noon. 

The flocks were wild, 
Scared by thy fierce cry : in the wilderness 
They sought the mountain gorges, v/here the herb 
Grew scant and thin upon the thorny slopes, 
Where, when the wind swept from the wint'ry north. 
They shivered in the storms. And Abel came 
And drew them to the meadows of the plain, 
Where water springs were gleaming, and the grass 
Hid the white lambs beneath its lusty growth : 
And when the winds were chill, within the vales 
That opened westward, led them to the shield 
And shelter of the rocks. And in the nights 
When thou. Oh ! Cain, wast dreaming in thy rest, 
He drove the wolves away : and so the sheep 
Owned him their lord and followed where he went. 
Yet never of their yield did Cain have need. 



40 CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 

The flesh of firsthngs and the woolly fleece 
Were his for asking. In the midnight dark 
The fleece of Abel wrapped his brother's breast : 
And the low roof-tree of Cain's dwelling bore 
The fleeces of the flocks laid broad and slant 
To shed the rain away. 

Yet in thy pride 
Thou watch'dst him scornful when his trouble came. 
For well thou knowest when upon the marsh 
He fed the sheep and murrain smote them sore, 
Thou knewest herbs of healing, yet thy lips 
Were silent unto him ; and when he mourned 
Laughed low and mocking that he knew no craft 
Of healing for his flocks. 

And on the eve 
Ye waited by your altars, Abel brought 
The choice of all the firstlings ; but thine arms 
Brought not the fullest sheaves to offer up 



CHILDREN OF LAMECH. • 41 

Unto the living Lord ; for all thine heart 
Was covetous and vain. And when there fell 
From the high clouds of Heaven, flaming down, 
The bolt that lit his altar, quick his hand 
Reached forth a brand new lighted, that thine own 
Might flash in joy beside him. And he died 
Unknowing of thy wrath. 

The creeping wind 
Swerved the light ashes on the smold'ring fire, 
White as the locks of Cain : and gray the morn 
Gave token of its coming. In the sky 
Clear shone the morning star, and sad the eyes 
Of Cain were fixed on Adah, and he spake : 
Oh ! Daughter, not in mine but Abel's ways 
Thy spirit walks to-night, and thou hast kenned 
Full many things that Cain has never known. 
And Cain will hearken thee. 

Behold ! She said 
The morning star is passing, and its path 



•42 CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 

It keeps obedient to the hand that marked 
Its place within the skies. Shalt thou, Oh ! Cain, 
Be more in thine own strength than is the star 
That leads the hosts on high ? 'Twas long ago 
Thy wisdom learned the marvel that the seeds 
According to their kind bring forth their fruits 
In harvests waited long : and so thy deeds 
And all thy thoughts, Oh ! Cain, a heritage 
Unto thy children be, and they shall bear 
According to their kind. Nor yet shall come 
Full measure of them 'till the world shall end, 
And harvests all be garnered of thy thoughts, 
Of all thy purpose and of all thy toil. 
And of thy passion and thy penitence. 
Of all of good or evil that shall grow 
From out thy wisdom of the woods and wilds 
And from thy secrets of deep hidden things ; 
Of all thy sons, unto the latest days, 
May do because of thee, for in their veins 
Shall flow the blood of Cain, and they shall toil 



CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 43 

Because that Cain has sinned, and Cain shall bear 
The burden of their evil : and their good, 
Aye, in the last days of the earth, shall bear 
A benison to Cain. 

The level rays 
Of the slow rising sun fell gray and cold 
Upon their faces as the vibrant voice 
Of Adah ceased. The fiery eyes of Cain 
Were dulled in weariness, and slow and sad 
His gaze turned to the clouds that drifted on 
Before the northern wind. The hound uprose 
As by a sign made conscious of the toil 
Of wandering renewed. And Cain his hand 
As if for benediction, raised, and then — 
Recalling that his lips no benison 
Or prayer could lift unto the Lord on high — 
Let fall the rugged fingers on his staff. 
Then, to his glance obedient, Lamech came 
And walked beside him, and they went away. 



44 CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 

The hound close following. Their hollow tread 
Grew faint and fainter in the rustling leaves 
'Till lost amid the murmurs of the morn. 

Alone beside the ashes, w^orn and wan 

With their long vigil, the two women staid : 

And soft and low they spake, though none could hear^ 

In whispers shy and broken ; for each knew , 

The secret in her bosom, and the words 

That Adah spake to Cain, to Zillah's heart 

Bore meaning deep and strong, and Adah kenned 

The truth of her own words. So shall we bear — 

They said in their soft converse — sorrowful 

All that which Eve, our mother, bore when first 

Woe came into the world. In agony 

Shall come the burden of our travail sore : 

And care shall be with us while at our knee 

Our children rise around us, yet their deeds, 

Yea, when our hoary centuries are done. 

Shall bear the fruits of mercy, and our thoughts 



CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 45 

Sure guide the craft of Cain in blessedness 
To all that dwell on earth. And in the day 
The Lord doth judge of Cain, shall Lamech's sons, 
And Lamech's daughters, rise, and all their gifts 
Of good wrought unto men be brought and there 
Made offering for Cain. 

The day was done 
Ere Lamech came returning. From his lips 
There fell no words of Cain, but in his eye 
Shone dark the troubled look that Cain had borne, 
And in his voice there seemed a sadness deep, 
As in the voice of Cain. 

The fair fields changed 
From the mid growth of summer, and the yield 
Of harvest came, and slow to them again 
There came the seeding time. And hour by hour, 
Yea, from the mid-grown harvest to the spring. 
The women spake of all the craft of Cain 



46 CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 

And of his wisdom. And they sought Hke him 
To learn the secrets of the earth and woods, 
And of the river beds and of the reeds. 
Of the wild fowl whose rustling wings they heard 
Startled within the forests. And they brake 
The hollow stems of herbs, and watched the toil 
Of the nest-builders in the spreading branch, 
And of the beetles that within the ground 
Digged deep their tiny caves. Oft Zillah strayed 
To seek the marvels of the woodland ways, 
While softer Adah crooned the dulcet songs 
The brooding wild birds sang. 



When bright the earth 
Was all new born in beauty, and more strong 
Because of the long lapse of restful days. 
Did Zillah hide her in deep shelt'ring boughs 
To know a mother's travail and her joy : 
And Cain she called the infant, but in years 



CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 47 

That came thereafter, when the molten ore 
Swam at her feet in hollow molded loam, 
She called him Tubal also. In the dell 
Where the dun cattle pastured wild and free, 
And thickets hid her in their dusky gloom, 
Did Adah lie in sorrow, and she bare 
Him whom they Jabal called in after times. 
And never in the land of Nod were known 
Two new-born sons of men with eyes more bold, 
Or limbs more strong, or with more lusty cry 
Than were these sons of Lamech. And he laughed 
And said, so Cain shall live when Cain hath gone 
Into the dark of death, and Lamech's years 
Are vanished and forgotten. And the gloom 
Went from his face ofttimes a little while 
Seeing the joy of Zillah and the calm 
^That like the starlight shone in Adah's face ; 
But sin was in his heart, and deeper grew 
The look of Cain upon him, and he went 
More often in the wilds. 



48 CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 

Not yet the joy 
That bent proud Zillah's heart to peacefulness 
Was gone from her when once again she sought 
The shelter of the boughs. And Adah's hps 
Bore smile upon them as she hid again 
Within the thickets' shelter. Zillah bare 
Her whom they called Naamah, for -her ways 
Grew into pleasantness. And Adah gave 
Another son to Lamech, Jubal called 
When he had grown in strength. Nor ever known 
In all the land of Nod was gaze more soft 
Than that of Naamah, a voice more sweet 
Or dulcet cooing than from out the lips 
Of joyous Jubal came. 



And they were strong, 
These children born of Lamech, and their strength 
Grew greater with the fast returning days ; 
And as the ripening harvests, one by one, 



CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 49 

Came golden to the slopes the children far 

And farther wandered from the hearth-fire's place, 

Seeking the woodland ways, the river banks, 

The mountain gorges and the dusky dells, 

And reedy plains that hid dark silent streams 

That crept from vales unknown. And, day by day, 

The lips of Zillah and of Adah told 

How Cain dwelt in the wilds, and how he knew 

All wisdom of the world beneath the skies ; 

And how, one eve, he came where Lamech's hearth 

Gleamed lowly in the dark, and how he stood 

Majestic in the dawn the while the star 

Of morning blazed beyond him. And they asked— 

These children born of Lamech — will he come 

Again unto the hearth-fire, shall we see 

Our father's father, Cain, and hear his voice ? 

For so they knew t]iat not in all the earth 

Was greater one than he. And Lamech laughed 

With proud sad lips to hear them in their play 

Speak thus the name of Cain. 



50 CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 

Beside a stream 
Where placid waters sluggish crept and where 
The sedge grew high around them, Tubal Cain 
One day led all the others, and they played 
Beneath the shadows of high branching trees 
That hid them from the sky. And with the clay 
Slow molded with their little hands they built 
The semblance of the city, and the fields 
That lay around its dwellings, and they made 
Clay images, and one they Lamech called, 
And one was Zillah, and one Adah was ; 
The lesser were themselves ; and so, they said, 
They peopled the fair city. And anon 
One greater than the rest they builded high 
And in its hand a knotted twig they placed 
As Cain had borne his staff. 

Above them bowed 
The lofty branches of the dusky trees. 
While all was silent save their voices blent 



CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 51 



With murmurs of the south wind in the leaves : 
And slow from branch to branch a leopard crept, 
The yielding branches swaying with no sound 
Save of the rustling breezes. Soft and low 
The leopard slowly crouched and with its gaze 
Measured the leap to earth. A mocking cry, 
In voice with scorn defiant, clove the air 
As Cain from out the thickets came and threw 
His look aloft and met the leopard's eye. 
Then speedy fled the beast and far away 
They heard its cry grow fainter till the sound 
Was borne to them no more. 

Then fearlessly — 
For they were born of Lamech — to his side 
The children came and hailed him, and they saw 
That he was Cain, for in his hand the staff 
Was huge and knotted, and his hoary hair 
Swept low upon his shoulders, and his beard 
Was like the snow that lingered in the glens 



52 CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 

When all the plains were green : and in his eye 
They saw the gaze of Lamech, save more stern 
Than his it seemed to them. 

And loud they cried, 
Saying, Cain hath come again and he will tell 
To us the wonders of the woods and wilds, 
And of the lands beyond the high blue hills, 
Of those beyond the rivers and the seas, 
And all below the skies. Then reverently. 
Their first glad impulse ended, low they knelt 
Before the feet of Cain, for so they knew 
Had Lamech knelt to Cain. And thin and bright 
Through the tall branches sifted, came the ray 
Of the high noontide sun, and radiantly 
Upon the brow of Cain it fell, and there 
Lay soft and beaming, and upon his face 
The rugged lines were softened as he gazed 
On the fair children kneeling. And he said, 
Yea, Cain will tell ye marvels. He hath come 



CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 53 



To shield ye from the dangers of the wilds 
Lest ye should die, and all the lore be lost 
That he hath garnered for ye. He will give 
To ye the wisdom of his wanderings 
That it may yield ye fruitage in the days 
When him ye know no more. For he is old : 
He sees his children scattered on the hills, 
And sees their tribes increase, and chief of all 
Is Lamech, of his sons, and ye shall bear 
The rule of Lamech when his days are done, 
For all Cain's wisdom is thy heritage. 
Then seeing that they hearkened in amaze, 
Nor understood his thought, he spake again 
In changed and simple words. Ay, Cain is here, 
So let thy hearts be glad, a little while 
He lingers with thy play. 

Naamah fond 
Held close the hand of Cain, and Tubal threw 
A mimic javelin to show his strength. 



54 CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 

And Jabal gamboled with the hound that sprang 

Elusive from his grasp, and Jubal sang 

Of bird notes clear and soft, and rhythmic smote 

A crystal stone beside him. So they played 

While Cain was watching, and the leopard's cry 

Drew near and then receded and again 

Came near and further went, until at last 

Cain heard no sound within the forest depths 

Save rustle of the branches ; from the stream 

Naught but the murmur of the waters slow, 

Moving along the sedge, upon its bank 

Only the sweet child voices. Silently 

He stood and watched them, and his brow grew calm 

And transient peace upon his forehead lay. 

A little while he waited. 

Then he spake : 
To each I bring my gift, yet bear to me 
Each one his offering. Let Jabal bring 
From Lamech's dwelling the long twisted thong 



CHILDREN OF LAMECH. ^5 

Cut from the tiger's hide. A bow unstrung, 

Yet with the strings of seven, Jubal's task 

To lay within my hand, with seven reeds 

The greater and the less. Naamah, bear 

On thy weak shoulders the dark sodden sheaf 

That lies among the sedge where waters flew 

Sluggish and dark, and spread it in the ray 

Of the noon sunshine here. Let Tubal's hand 

Bring in its palm a fervent burning coal 

From Lamech's hearth. Then fast the children sped 

To do his bidding. 

When their task was done 
He looped the thong of Jabal, o'er his head 
With strong arm whirled it, and with steady eye 
Flung far the loop away and caught the hound 
'Twixt limb and breast. Then loosened it and then 
So flung it forth again, and taught the lad 
Till he himself could wield it. So, he said, 
May Jabal snare the wild bulls of the meads, 



56 CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 

That stretch beyond the mountains, so may tame 
The wildness of their strength. 

Then Jubal came 
With joyous step and hghtsome ; from his hand 
Cain took the bow unstrung. The seven strings 
He knotted side by side, and bent the bow 
And strained the strings. Then at his touch there 

came 
From each a varying cadence, soft and low 
As was the voice of Jubal, yet more light 
Than cry of finches in the swaying boughs. 
And Jubal's heart rejoiced. The slender reeds 
Cain clove across, the little and the great, 
And laid them side by side and bound them so. 
Then with firm lips breathed in them till there rose 
Forth from the cloven reeds a sound so sweet, 
So sorrowful and strange that all their hearts 
Beat fast and wondering. And Jubal grasped 
The bow with seven strings and played thereon 



CHILDREN OF LAMECH. ' 57 

As Cain had taught, and from the seven reeds 
He brought the music forth. Then Cain, to him, 
Said, never while the earth shall know of joy, 
Or know of sorrow, or of weariness, 
Shall this thy gift be vain. 

The sun aslant 
Shone through the boughs, for now the noon was come, 
And the dark nettle sheaves Naamah bore 
From out the rotting sedge into the sun 
Were dried and brittle, and their fibers gray 
Hung loose upon the stems. Then with his staff 
Cain beat the gavels till the fragments fell 
Splintered and broken, and the flax he drew 
Into a slender skein and thence there came 
A twisted thread more slender. One by one 
He drew the twisted threads, and then athwart 
Of some he laid the others. So he wove 
And taught the weaving to the gladsome child. 
Then Jubal, who with careful skill had laid 



5 8 CHILDREN OF LA ME CH. 

A crust of ashes on his open hand 

That he might bring an ember from the fire 

Glowing on Lamech's hearth, expectant gazed 

Into the eyes of Cain : then at his word 

He laid the crimson coal wiiere steadily 

Between two broken rocks the shrill wind blew 

And fanned it into flame, then on it placed 

The gray, dry driftwood that the floods had thrown 

In spring upon the sands. 



And while the blaze 
Swayed in the wind and slowly sank and fell 
Cain told this tale to him. Ere yet thine eyes 
Had gazed upon the world, one day I went 
Where flame had scored the vales, and blackened lay 
Its way along the edges of the hills, 
And marked a rocky ledge where swift the wind 
Swept clear and free, and lingering in the turf 
Were little creeping flames ; but most of all 



CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 59 

The embers of great cedars, in their midst 

A dark brown earth, and slowly from it came 

Dropping and creeping like to living things, 

What seemed of molten stones, and in the track 

Made by the wild hares' feet did flow and there 

Grew harder than the stone. I shaped a place. 

Like to the flints on Lamech's arrows borne. 

In shallow sunken sand and guided there 

A tiny creeping stream. It took the form 

Of fairer arrow head than ever cleft 

The air from Lamech's bow. Between two stones 

I beat it thinner and an edge more keen 

Than broken crystal gained. Then in the earth 

I sought for hidden ores, and in the fire, 

Amid the glowing embers by the winds 

Blown into fierceness, placed them, and there came 

Forth from their molten streams a fairer stone. 

So came the iron ingots to my hands. 

And so the brazen shapes, and these to thee 

Are the brave gift of Cain. 



6o CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 

Then when the flame 
Was sunken into embers broad and deep, 
And strong the wind blew from the low'ring east, 
Did Cain upon them heap the dusky ore, 
And on it lay the wood and then again 
Heap high the ore, and then the wood laid high 
Again upon it. And the wind blew strong 
And steady from the east, and from the pile 
Like serpents creeping crimson to the sand 
Flowed the thin streams of metal at their feet, 
And purple glowed : for now the shade was come 
With sinking of the sun. 

Then Tubal said. 
They tell not all Cain's wisdom in the hills, 
Nor know it on the plains, for he who kens 
The secret of this thing may rule the world ; 
May smite the forest and may cleave the stone 
And dig the earth ; and staves more potent make 
Than those from oaken boughs, and make of blades 



CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 6i 



Shall cleave fire-hardened saplings as the stroke 
Of flints the willow cleaves. Yea ! he may rule, 
Who owns this secret, as the tiger rules 
The jungle and the fen. 

Then Cain to him 
Made answer thus : Shall Cain his gift repent. 
Or shall he sorrow that to Tubal came 
The greatest of his lore. Let Tubal's thought 
Seek all the mysteries that hidden lie 
Within the ingots, and their purpose seek 
And all their uses in the hands of men : 
Nor let them die with him, nor with his sons, 
When he is old and passing to decay. 
For I would have, when all our tribes are grown 
To cover all the earth, that men shall say 
That Cain lived not in vain, and so my name 
Shall linger with my children till the days 
When all the earth shall vanish, and the light 
Of the high sun in sudden darkness cie. 



62 CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 

That noon had Tubal led the children forth, 
Himself a child and buoyant in his heart 
And careless in his thought. The sunset rays 
Were faint and fading where the waters plashed 
Amid the willow stems, and now his face 
Was gray in the dim twilight and no smile 
Was bright upon his lips ; a youth no more, 
He talked with Cain and understood his words. 
Then slowly in the dark upon their way 
The tired children went, but Tuba! strode 
With unfamiliar step and haughty eye 
And voice of mastery. 

Ere yet the slope, 
\\' hereon the hearth of Lamech blazed and burned. 
Their loitering footsteps gained, they paused and 

gazed 
Back to the valley where the form of Cain 
Grew darker 'mid the shade, and saw him pass 
Into the forest darkness ; in his hand 



CHILDREN OF LAM ECU. 63 

His knotted staff firm holden, and his hair 
Blown backward by the breeze that through the vale 
Swept steadily and strong. And many a year 
To Lamech's children came ere they again 
Beheld the face of Cain. 

And year by year 
The fair tilled fields grew broader on the hills, 
And year by year upon the pasture plains 
The flocks more distant grazed. And year by year 
To Lamech's foemen came a wrath more deep, 
And fonder memory of him who fell 
Beneath the hand of Lamech. Where the haulm 
Of the dead vines was heaped greener grew 
The herbage in the spring; more heavily 
Above the slain the yellow harvest ears 
Nodded and drooped. And ever from the plains 
The strong armed slingers came and rained afar 
A storm of clashing stones. And from the hills 
Came storm of arrows back, and so no more 



64 CHILDREN OF LAMECH 

Was death a stranger in the homes of men. 
For men went forth to battle, and the cries 
Of women followed them, and homeward came 
And heard the cries of women. Sad and slow 
The living bore the dead, and in the vales, 
And on the spreading plains, the haunts of men 
Knew calm and peace no more. 

Then on the plains 
The elder shepherds told how once the Lord 
Had spoken unto men. How Abel cried 
That flame might kindle on the altar stones 
'Mid tumult of the storm, and how his voice 
Was heard in the high heavens, and they spake 
With invocations loud. And all the tribes 
That "dwelt upon the lowlands wailing cried 
Upon the Mighty Lord, that he would shield 
And shelter them from vengeance of the hills. 
Upon the mountain slopes, in valleys far 
From yellow teeming fields, in forests wide, 



CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 65 

The dwellers in the hills the lurid flames 
Of Tubal's labor saw, for he was come 
To be a chieftain after Lamech's heart ; 
And the deep craft of Cain within his thought 
Had stronger grown, and from the heavy ore 
With wind and flame he brought the metal forth. 
He made of arrow heads and gleaming spears, 
And broad, keen blades. And Lamech's heart was 

proud ; 
For when the foemen came he smote them sore 
With the sharp steel of Tubal. 



From the banks 
Of the slow winding streams to where high hills 
Sloped fair toward the sunset, grazed the herds 
That Jabal kept. For well his snares he threw 
Among the young wild cattle, and their strength 
Subdued unto his will. And Lamech mocked 
The puny flocks of Seth. The women wove, 



66 CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 

For so Naamah taught them, of the threads 
From the wikl nettle twisted, and the lleece 
r)rouoht, in the forays, from the phiins below ; 
And there was gladness in the songs they sang. 
So that the heart of Lamech from its gloom 
Ofttimes awoke, so he would laugh with them. 
And to their voices Jubal's pipe was joined 
In shrill and j(W0us music : oftentimes 
The soft night trembled as the sound came forth 
And dwelt upon the air, that from the strings 
The hand of Jubal drew. And dour and stern 
Were all the sons of Lamech, and their sire 
Was like to Cain in stature, and his eye 
Gleamed like the eye of Cain ; and sorrowful 
The look of Lamech grew when all alone 
He wandered in the wilds. And far the fields 
Were smooth and green in summer, and their yield 
Waved golden in the autumn, and between 
The yellow reaches rose the city's walls 
The hand of Cain had builded. 



CHILDREN OF LAM ECU. 67 

On the Lord 
The shepherds cried as they to battle went, 
And they who from the mountain came and fought 
Raised high the name of Cain. And to and fro 
The tide of battle drifted, till there came 
A day when back retreating to the hills 
'i'he sons of Lamech bore their captives on ; 
And fleeing U) far edges of the jilain. 
The shepherds bore of captives. So the woe 
And so the joy divided. 

In that day 
Was Adah aged grown, and thin and fair 
Her pure face shone amid the bronzed tribes ; 
And all her words were peaceful, and her Ihouglits 
Were all of mercy, for her kinsmen they 
Who dwelt upon the plain, and hers the sons 
That strode in haughty vigor o'er the hills. 
And bore the gleaming spears, and arrows drave 
Like flight of birds upon the distant air. 



68 CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 

So when they came, and in proud sorrow told 
Of who was slain, and who was borne afar, 
And spoke of vengeance on the captives brought, 
Her words persuasive fell. 

The earth of woe. 
In these our evil days, doth have its fill. 
And all is wrath and sorrow. We who nursed 
Our children with full breasts, and watched their play 
With careful tenderness, behold them slain 
Or borne away in bondage, and our eyes 
Grow dim with weeping for them : yet ye strive. 
And wrath is all thy portion. Let them go, 
These captives holden by thy vengeful hands. 
That mothers wailing on the distant plain 
May joyful greet to-morrow. 

Ere her words 
Were fully spoken, rose the wrathful sounds 
Of loud remonstrance, and the spearmen knelt 



CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 69 

To grasp of sheaves of branches bare and dry, 
And heap them by the stakes where manacled 
Their captives waitmg stood. But clearer still, 
Her voice rang in their hearing. 

Hearken me, 
The wrath of the great Lord is lingering 
In the far deeps beyond the starry skies, 
And whoso sheddeth blood, his blood shall stain 
The verdure of the earth. 

Then angrily 
Did Tubal answer her. Behold, our fields 
Were golden in the sun ; the thistles grew 
And withered into stalks that, thin and parched. 
Could catch the spark and bear the flames along 
Until nor haulm nor many-bearded ear 
Remained of all the yield. The shepherds lashed 
High blazing brands on bounding foxes lured 
From these our fruitful hills, and drave them back 



70 CHILDREN OF LAME CI/. 

So that the wild fire caught, and all our toil 

Was wasted into ashes. Shall we wait 

And wail like infants while they loud rejoice, 

These robbers from the plain ? And while he spake 

A shepherd bound with withes, fair-haired and tall, 

With steely light within his kindling eye. 

Made answer back to him. 

Ye seek our flocks, 
Ye lure the fatlings from the shepherd's fold. 
And seize the fleece, the fruit of all our toil 
Through many a weary year : and like the wolves, 
Ye creep in darkness, and wx hearken ye 
In the deep night, as hearken we the tread 
Of leopards creeping from the wilderness. 
And while upon the pastures lingers still 
A lamb to tremble as thy footsteps fall 
Shall all the shepherds hate ye, and their wiles, 
Their anger and their labor on thy fields 
Shall pour of evil forth. Then as they rose 



CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 71 

To smite him that he answered, spake again 
His shrill defiant voice, Ay, smite, he said. 
And gaze where yonder through the distant dark 
A spark seems gUmmering and faints and fails, 
And then glows forth again. There fagots lie : 
Full soon around the stake their lurid light 
Will flame aloft to heaven, and thy sons, 
Yea, the brave sons of mothers in the hills. 
Shall pay the bitter guerdon of the pain 
Ye lay on me this day. And Adah wept. 
For so her children's children distant borne 
Were captive on the plain. 

Then Lamech spake. 
The while he leaned upon the brazen bow 
That Tubal made for him. What would'st thou have, 
Oh ! woman, speak, and all thy will be done : 
'Twas long ago I bore thee from the plains, 
And Lamech's eyes are dim and Lamech's heart 
Is full of gloom and sadness. Thou wast kind 



72 CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 

To Lamech in his brooding, and the storm 
Of his stern heart hast killed through many a year 
Since Lamech's mocking arrows flew and fell, 
Beside thy brethren's feet. And so my will 
Is but the will of Adah. Let him die 
Who scorns to do thy bidding. And the front 
Of Lamech grandly rose, and none save Cain 
Had been so kingly of the sons of men ; 
And all the tribesmen faltered, and the youth 
Knelt low, and, fearing, listened. Wondering 
Hearkened the captives, till should speak again 
The weeping Adah to them. And beside 
Strong Zillah stood and listened but no word 
Her parted lips let fall. 

Then once again, 
In softened tones and kindly, Adah spake : 
Take from my pillow the fair whitened fleece 
And raise it on tall pikes and bear it forth, 
With hailing as for succor, to the plains, 



CHILDREN OF LAM ECU. 73 

So they shall smite ye not. And with it lead 
The captives to their home, so may their kin 
And brethren yield to us our sons that now 
Await the vengeful fires. Then at her feet 
The fair-haired shepherd knelt. 

The tiger's hide 
That wrapped her feet he lifted to his lips 
With rev'rent touch and fervent. When he rose, 
Strong Tubal, eager to atone his fault. 
Upon a spear raised high the snowy fleece, 
And round about the spearmen gathered close, 
The captives following, and speedy strode 
Down the steep slopes. Then as the distant flame 
Seeth'd higher t'ward the skies and scattered broad 
Its newly kindled sparks, still faster sped 
The messengers of peace. And, nearer drawn, 
They saw their brethren and the driven stakes, 
And saw the fuel higher heaped, and then 
They heard the clamor of the cries of war 



74 CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 

And all the vengeful triumph of the foe. 
Till, over all, the war-cry of the hills 
Rose shrilly and defiant, and the heart 
Of Tubal swelled to hear it, for it bore 
No weakness in its tone. And 'mid the sound 
The captive shepherd whistled on the wind 
A cry as of the hawk that frightened wings 
Its sudden flight toward the drifting clouds ; 
And whistled shrill again, and once again, 
A signal wild and strange. 

Then suddenly 
The baleful fire was quenched, and still and dark 
Was all the night before them. Then again 
The shepherd whistled, but his tone more soft 
Was varied on the wind, and answering came 
A shrill, clear whistle back. Fear not, he said, 
They wait our coming ere a hand be raised 
In vengeance or in wrath. Anon, he sent 
Another signal forth ; and one by one, 



CHILDREN OF LA 31 ECU. 75 

Dotting the outmost circle of the camp, 

Low hearth-fires slowly rose, and clear and calm 

The star of morning shone. 

The crisping herbs 
Rustled beneath their footsteps as the}^ strode. 
The hares leaped lightly from beside their way, 
And from the high mimosas came the thrill, 
The song and cadence of the nesting birds 
Awakening to the morn ; for slow the dark 
Changed into dusk and dusk to silver gray. 
And gray to golden beaming of the sun 
Across the level plain. And at their feet 
The heavy dews lay crystal. Where the fires 
Had tawny shone within the dark, the smoke 
Now lightly curled and faded. And afar 
Beyond the shepherd tents the lazy flocks 
Were grazing in the dawn. 

So, peacefully 
Before the sons of Lamech lay the scene, 



76 CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 

And so once more the captive shepherds saw 
Their dwelHngs near at hand. And as they came 
Rose shout and cry to greet them. Marveling, 
The gathered people saw the standard borne 
Upon the spear of Tubal. Half afraid, 
As if some risen from the dead had come, 
They saw their brethren, all unmanacled 
And bright of visage walking close beside 
The wild men of the hills. Then mothers knew 
That bale-fires of the mountains all their sons 
Borne vanquished from the battle, spared, and so 
Had let the lost return ; and high their cries 
Mingled in fervid clamor. From the limbs 
Of their own captives all the bonds they brake. 
Bright brands anew they kindled, and on high 
They brandished them amid the mountain spears 
And sang a song of gladness. 

Yea, our sons 
Are spared from battle, and, returned to us. 



CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 77 

Shall lead our flocks anew. Their days shall be 
As many as are Enoch's, he our sire 
Whose voice has called upon the holy Lord 
To save us in our trouble. Ay, we called 
Upon the Lord our God, and He hath heard. 

And while the shepherds raised the burning brands, 

The women, clasping hands, with swaying steps 

Danced joyous to and fro. The Lord doth keep 

The tribes of Seth within His holy hand 

To shield them from all harm. 'Twas so they sang 

In rhythmic cadence while above them shone 

The glitt'ring spears the men of Tubal bore. 

And snowy high above them swayed the fleece. 

Forever hence a sign of peace to them. 

For now an aged man came forth and slow 

His weak limbs tottered, though the brawny arms 

Of young men bore him up. His face was calm. 

And his the eyes of Adah, save more stern 

The look that lay within them. So, he came, 



78 CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 

Enoch the chief among the tribes of Seth, 
And all the clamor fell, and at his word 
Was silence everywhere. 

Tell me, he said, 
Ye brawny men and strong whose weapons shine 
So glorious in the sun, how from yon hills 
Shall leopards come in peaceful guise and lie 
Unharming by our flocks : and shall ye bear 
Thy spear heads wrought in fiercest flame and storm, 
By crafty arts within the evil glens, 
With peace unto us here. 

In Tubal's eyes 
There flashed an angry light, but ere his lips 
Could fashion answer, quick the shepherd spake. 
He who had knelt at Adah's feet and heard 
The blessing of her words. Behold, he said. 
We who are sons of sons of those who sprang 
Forth from the loins of Enoch, in the field 



CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 



79 



Made battle 'gainst the warriors of the hills 
And smote them sorely, and our brethren drew 
Brave captives from the field, but overborne 
Were we, thy children's children. Far away 
They bore us to the mountains : by their fires 
Doomed they us unto death. But over them 
The mighty Lamech rules, and Lamech's heart 
Is servant unto Adah, whom he won 
By robber craft when thou, Oh ! Enoch, dwelt 
A youth among thy flocks. 



She ruleth them 
With gentleness of heart ; within her eyes 
Lieth the peace of those the living Lord 
Hath touched with His deep pity. To her comes— 
'Twas so the hillmen whispered while she spake— 
His voice forewarning in the brooding noons, 
And in the fiery dawns, and when the eve 
Falls dusk and cool unto the upland vales; 



'8o CHILDREN GF LAMECH. 



And in the fearsome nights when all the skies 
Are black with sudden storm ; and so she turns 
The coming evil back. And oft she hears — 
'Twas so the hillmen murmured while we stood 
Beside the kindled fires — His high commands 
Resounding fall from Heaven when all ears 
Save hers in wrath are closed. And promises, 
Wafted on gentle airs from where His Throne 
Exalted stands, are borne to her in dreams 
When all, save her, are sunk in sodden sleep 
Forgetful and unknowing. Her soft gaze 
Is clear as waters that the melted snows 
Leave in the peaceful hollows of the hills, 
And her calm face is wan as is the sky 
Transparent in the sunshine of the spring 
Ere the low herbage 'neath the slender ray 
Doth lift its spires anew. And in her voice 
Are tones of sorrow and of tenderness, 
And mingled with them the slow strength of sounds 
Like those the swelling rivers make when all 



CHILDREN OF LAM ECU. 8i 

Their high shores yield unto them. So she rules 
The fierce tribes of the hills. 

And at her word 
They loosed our heavy bonds. Upon a spear 
Tubal, the son of Lamech, raised the fleece 
And bore it hither, and he brings to thee 
With it the words of Adah. 

As he spoke, 
Tubal stepped forth and on his forehead bare 
The level sunshine lay. The aged men 
Who long ago his father, Lamech, knew. 
Cried out, beholding him, for unto them 
It seemed that Lamech, to his youth returned, 
Had come to speak with them. Behold ! he said, 
I, Tubal, son of Lamech, who is son 
Of Cain the mighty father of the tribes 
Who dwell in yonder hills, bear unto ye 
Fair message of thy sister, — she who owns 



82 CHILDREN OF LAM ECU. 

The love of Lamech ; and her words are his ; 
Let a white fleece upon a spear point borne, 
As I have borne it hither, be the sign 
Of truce and mercy in the strifes of men. 
Wherever it doth come let arrows drop 
Their points toward the earth. Where'er it sways 
Let the long shafts of spears their burnished heads 
Uprear toward the skies ; and let the sword 
In vengeful hands be stayed. 

Then, as he ceased, 

The voice of Enoch answered, thin and shrill : 
So let it be forever, and accursed 
Be he that heedeth not. And then the lips 
Of all the old men answered, clear and high, 
Aye let him be accursed. And all the sons 
And all the daughters of the shepherd tribes 
There gathered in the sunrise, reverently, 
And in half breathed accents cried again, 
Yea : let him be accursed. And Tubal's heart 



CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 83 



Swelled strange to hear the sound. His hand he 

raised, 
As on the fury of a battle borne, 
And, as in battle clamor, frenzied cried : 
/tyelet him be accursed. And at the sound 
His kinsmen strake the spears, and to the skies 
Rose their shrill voices, crying, evermore 
So let him be accursed. And white as snow 
In the fair morn the fleecy banner shone. 
And on them silence fell as on the land 
A calm descends when sudden storm is spent. 

Then spake a captive, and the silence brake 
With eager words and high : On yonder hills 
Where Adah rules o'er Lamech's angry heart, 
And where our brethren breathe with wrath subdued 
But yet a little while, they mark no sign 
Of all the mercy here. So, let us go. 
And with us let the children of the plain 
Bear back a white fleece high in air upborne 



84 CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 

In token of our coming, so no harm 
Shall meet us on our way ; and we shall bear 
The message of the curse that Enoch spake 
And Tubal and the shepherds. 

Tremulously 
The voice of Enoch rose : From out the flocks 
Bring forth a lamb unblemished. On the pile 
Of gathered faggots lay the sacrifice. 
And while the smoke ascending, far and dark 
Cleaves spiral to the skies, voice clear the song 
Of rapture and of praise : and let the fleece, 
From our burnt offering torn, be borne afar, 
A symbol of the peace the living Lord 
Doth will for all His children. As he said. 
So did the shepherds. And beside the spears 
The men of Tubal laid upon the sward 
There lay the shepherds' crooks. And while the smoke 
And odor of the sacrifice, on high 
Ascended on the breezes, clear the voice 



CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 85 

Of loud rejoicing rose in rhythmic tones 
From sons of Enoch there. But Tubal knew 
No meaning of their words, for in his heart 
He praised the name of Cain, and like a dream 
Dreamed in his childhood, and forgotten long, 
Seemed all the sight of altar and the sound 
Of sacrificial song. And mute he stood. 
With all his men around him awed and still 
The while the shepherds sang, and while the flame 
Rose high and faltered, and to embers low 
And then to ashes sank. 



Then forth they went, 
The captives to their homes among the hills. 
And with them shepherds eager for the sight 
Of the fair city whence the sons of Cain 
Ruled all the mountain vales. But Tubal staid, 
And with him staid his men, and at their feet 
Was laid the plenty of the shepherds' feasts, 



86 CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 

And all the welcome of the shepherds' homes. 

For they were kin to Adah — so they said, 

The simple people of the plains — and so 

Were kindred unto them. And lingering 

The warm winds touched the strength of Tubal's 

limbs, 
And Tubal's spirit softened — and his voice 
Grew gentler than of old. And day by day 
The men of Tubal languished in delight : 
And spear heads rusted while the shepherd staves 
Were worn with travail, and the rugged hills 
Grew day by day more distant to their sight. 
And better than the forges in the glens 
To Tubal seemed the hearthstone, and more sweet 
Than wailing of the winds that fed the fires 
That smote the brittle ore, the dulcet tones 
Of maidens' voices in the eventide 
When sheep came to the folds, or in the morn 
That waked the world anew. So softer grew 
The spirit of the wild men from the hills 



CHILDREN OF LAM ECU. 87 

In glamour of the fair and sensuous days 
That softly came and went. 

And on the slopes 
And in the valleys of the harvest lands 
The shepherd messengers, at Adah's feet, 
Heard words of peace anew. 

And so, again. 
From one unto the other, to and fro. 
The traders came and went. And on the plains, 
Soft voiced and lowly, peaceful shepherds spake 
The name of the great Lord and cried to Him 
In woe or thankfulness : but year by year 
They cried the less to Him. And year by year 
Whoso amid the mountams dwelt recalled 
The less the name of Cain. And year by year 
Their fair tilled fields were greater, and more great 
The harvests than before. And Tubal strake 
Of spear-heads on the anvil, till more broad 



88 CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 

And thin they were, and with them tilled the soil 

With labor lightly done. And Jabal's hand 

Wearied the wild bulls that his leash had held 

Until, obedient to his will, they drew 

Of burdens o'er the earth. Naamah wove 

Broad fabrics that the shepherds sought, and so 

Gave of their wealth of fleeces. On the winds 

Swam melody of Jubal's harp, and oft 

His reeds gave solemn sound that far and sweet 

Lulled into lofty rest. 



So, in the glens 
The flaming forges glowed ; the captive herds 
Bore burden for their masters : carefully 
The women wove of fabrics fair and strong : 
Alike in toil and restfulness the sound 
Of music rose and fell ; and plenteously 
The earth gave forth its blessings. And the arms 
Of the strong sons of Lamech held the maids 



CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 89 



Borne from the shepherds' tents. The lowland 

swains 
Wooed dark-eyed maidens in the highland dells : 
And all were brethren in the peacefid days. 

Yet everywhere— and year by year went on- 
More languid were the breezes. On the earth 
The sun more sultry shone. The winds arose 
With more of sudden wrath, and failed and died 
More speedily away. The rivers shrank 
In fervor of the summer. When the fields 
Were brown along the shores the torrents rose 
And overflowed the land. From the low fens, 
As year by year went by, the marsh grass crept 
Into the upland pastures. High and far, 
Where, in the youth of Lamech, all the year 
The naked mountain summits met the sky. 
Between the harvest and the springtide lay 
The mantle of the snow ; and year by year 
Lower upon the slopes, between the sheaf 



go CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 

And sowing of the grain, the tempest heaped 

Its billowy drifts along ; and year by year 

The drouth grew longer and the heat more strong 

And latter rains more heavy. And the heart 

Of Adah weary grew, for boding fear 

Was with her all the while ; and Zillah's voice, 

And Lamech's, rose in wonder as they marked 

The changes newly come into the world. 

And spake of the old days when still there seemed 

On hill and plain the winds that Eden knew. 

And all the even verdure of its fields, 

The soft calm of its skies, and balmy breath 

Of wand'ring airs within the woods and wilds. 

The storms that smote the night with kindled bolts, 

And uproar of the skies that died at dawn 

Leaving no wTath behind. 

And year by year 
These changes came unto the earth and sky 
And with them changed the fiery thoughts of men. 



CHILDREN OF LAiMECH. 91 

Their days were changed, and all their hearts were 

changed ; 
And sluggish flowed their blood in slothfulness 
Of dreamy drifting days. Of clustered grapes 
They pressed the juices forth, and patiently 
With careful, longing eyes, they waiting saw 
The bubbles rise and sparkle, and they drank 
And sank to dreams again, save here and there 
Amid the shepherd tribes, a man arose 
And cried unto the Lord : and in the wilds 
Some rose and beat their breasts, and spake of Cain 
The lordly father of a lordly race 
Now sunken into sleep. 

And love and mirth 
And sullen passions roused from slothfulness 
To droop in sloth again, and wrath that knew 
No noble impulse, and slow discontent. 
And bitter scorn, and brooding sorrow filled 
The languid lives of men, 



92 CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 

And worn and old 
In these last days was Lamech ; gray and wan 
Was grown the face of Adah, — dulled the fire 
That lay in Zillah's eyes, and Lamech's sons 
Bore wrinkles on their foreheads. And afar 
The tribes of Cain were scattered in the hills, 
And many cities builded,and their herds 
Grazed all the midland vales, and far their fields 
Were stretched on either hand. 

At last there came. 
Seething upon the air, the sound of strife. 
Rousing the sluggish current of their lives 
To those on hill and plain. For restlessness 
Of men grown weary of the pleasure born 
From fruitfulness of harvests and the yield 
Of willing herds and flocks, had willful turned 
In anger on each other. And again 
The hillmen marshaled all their spearmen forth. 
And those who drew the bow, and those who bore 



CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 93 

The keen edged blades of Tubal. From the plains 
Gathered the shepherd slingers as of old 
In fiery marshaled ranks. And on the breast 
Of mountain slope and level lying land — 
For now were men grown cunning in their wrath- 
There rose the ridged earth in ramparts high 
With trenches deep behind. And from the plain 
Came scoffing of the shepherds, and replied 
The scorn of warriors from the citadels 
That sons of Lamech builded. 

Autumn came 
And crowned an evil year with hoary frosts 
More early fallen than the meads and wolds 
Had ever known before. And when the rime 
Was melted by the morning sun the herbs 
Grew brown and sere, and all the forest leaves 
To duller verdure changed. The sunset ray 
Was gray and cold, and at the evenfall 
The skies were cloudless and the winds were still, 



94 CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 

And starlight came unheeded when the dusk 
Had vanished with the day. 

In such a night 
The shepherd sentries heard on silent airs 
A cry afar, then wondered if they heard, 
And listened that anew the sound might come 
Assured unto their senses. Then once more 
They heard it faint and distant, and again 
More near it seemed and shriller, till at last 
A cry they heard like that the shepherd sent 
Across the midnight air, the time there came 
The men of Tubal with the fleece borne high 
Upon their peaceful spears. And in the gleam 
And glimmer of the starlight soon they saw 
The drift and sway of fleeces high upborne 
With spear points bright above : then, nearer drawn, 
Beheld strong sons of Tubal, fleet of foot 
And strong of arm, but weary with the weight 
Qf hasting travail done, 



CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 95 



And round them came 
The captains and the wise men, and the seers — 
For now 'mid battle slaughter, fervently 
The shepherds called upon the Holy Lord 
For safety and for succor. 

Wherefore now 
Come ye with symbols of old peaceful days, 
Ye tigers from the hills ? 'Twas so they hailed 
The sons of Tubal as anear they came. 
But raised no hand to smite them, for the words 
That Enoch spake, and Tubal, long ago 
Were graven in their hearts. Then sadly reared 
His head the chiefest messenger, and spake. 
And none from lips of warrior ever heard 
Of tone more sorrowful : 

Within our hills 
In our chief city shielded, Adah dwells — 
Then at her name the shepherds breathed low — 



96 CHILDREN OF LAMECH 

And aged hath she grown, and in her heart 
Surpassing wisdom lies. Around her head, 
When the dim twiUght comes, a halo shines 
And wavers to and fro. Unto her ear 
Come all the sounds within the weary world 
That meaning have to men, and to her thought 
This many years the living Lord hath told 
The mystery of His will : and yestermorn 
She cried in her deep sleep. The voice is borne 
Of Cain from vales afar, and with it comes 
The baying of his hound. And she awoke. 
And listened 'mid the clamor of the birds 
That sang in the high branches, and the shouts 
Anon that rose when all our marshaled men 
Looked forth upon thy people, and she said, 
I hear the voice of Cain, and to her face 
A look of anguish came. 

And in the noon 
When all was still, she listened and she cried 



CHILDREN OF LAMECH. g-) 



Oh ! Lamech, hearken ! for upon the wind, 

Drawn nearer since the dawn, the voice of Cain 

Is calUng unto thee. And softly, then 

Our warriors paused and Hstened, but no sound 

Came unto them upon the drifting breeze 

That turned the leaves aside ; and they who seek 

The leopard in his den and know his tread 

That softly falls on woodland mosses, knelt 

Low down upon the ground and hearkened there, 

And, list'ning heard no sound. And still she said 

In anguished voice and weary. He- hath come, 

Though men believe that long ago he died, 

And calleth unto thee. O Lamech, haste ; 

He calls for succor in the vales afar : 

So, hail the lowland warriors, let them come. 

And with our sons go forth into the wilds, 

For Cain is calling sorely, and the hound 

That walks beside his feet is baying loud 

In watchfulness and care. And while she spake 

The air so silent was, that at our feet 



qB children of LAMECIt. 

We heard a locust creep, but to our ears 
There came no voice from far. Then Tubal said, 
In angry guise, Shall we who rose the morn 
To smite the people of the plains, go forth 
Like women speaking peace. Then once again, 
As in old days, rose Lamech. Though his eyes 
Are sere and blinded by the years agone 
A sound is sight to him, and to the head 
The long straight arrow of a brazen bow 
He drew to Tubal's breast, but Adah's arm, 
Though weak and shriveled, turned the shaft aside. 
With humble words knelt Tubal, and his voice 
Was full of penitence, for so the sons 
Of sons of Cain obey : and Lamech said. 
Then let thy first-born bear the message forth 
To those upon the plains. 

This Adah said. 
Let of the wisest of their old men come. 
The bravest of their young, and let them bear 



CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 99 

Above their heads the fleece of peacefulness, 
And let them with us seek the aHen ways 
Wherefrom the voice is calHng : all the plains. 
And those that dwell thereon, and all the flocks 
Have profit of the craft the thought of Cain 
Gave forth unto the world, so let them hear 
The last words of his wisdom ere the earth 
Shall know his voice no more. 

And these her words 
We lay upon thy hearts, and bid ye tread 
With us in peace the paths where Adah waits 
In sadness for thy coming. 

When he ceased 
A momentary silence fell on all, 
Unbroken save by breathing hard and deep 
Of those expectant waiting, till reply 
Should from the chieftains come. These answering, 
In one voice with the seers bid warriors raise 



CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 



The snowy fleeces high. And with them went 
Foremost the seers white-bearded, and the sons 
Of Enoch by their side, and following 
Were stalwart slingers, and strong men who bore 
The mighty staves of war. And forth they trod 
With sons of Tubal guiding, and the stars 
Shone white and lambent o'er them. Slowly rose 
In the far north a wan and wav'ring light 
From far beyond the plains. And eastward kept 
Toward the land of Nod their steady tread 
Beneath the starry skies. Yet as they neared 
The foot slopes of the hills, a terror seemed 
Far borne upon the air. The night bird's cry 
Was sorrowful and fearsome in the dark 
Of the deep thickets ; and the wild wolf crept 
Afraid athw\art their path. And when they came 
To Lamech's dwelling, on the winding way, 
The marshaled sons of Lamech bowed their heads 
In sad recognizance. Of forest boughs 
And interlacing spears did Tubal's sons 



CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 



A litter frame, and on it Adah bore 

Foremost of all, save Lamech. By his side 

For he was blinded, and his aged eyes 
Beheld the path no more — did Tubal go 
And Jabal also, with their steadfast arms 
Upholding as he trod. But in his hand, 
For so he willed it, Lamech's bow was borne, 
The symbol of his power. And Zillah walked 
By Adah's side and held within her own 
The thin white hands of Adah. And behind 
Strong mountain warriors followed, in their midst 
The reeds of Jubal sorrowful and shrill 
In measured cadence sounding. 

And on, and on, 
Beyond the stubble fields, beyond the glens 
That glowed with Tubal's forges, past the meads 
Where Jabal's herds lay sleeping, to the wilds 
That hunters in their distant journeys knew 
With steady tread they went, and as they passed 



to2 CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 

From out the forest depths the tiger crept, 
The leopard and the lynx, and by their side 
Came all the timorous beasts that in the woods 
Had shelter from their anger, and there came 
The fierce ones and the gentle in their fear, 
And crept beside the tribesmen as they went : 
For fear had banished wrath, and all alike 
Within the brooding silence felt the woe 
That lay upon the air. 

So, onward trod, 
The hoary Lamech leading and his sons 
Gray bearded at his side, they who from Cain 
And who from Seth had sprung. And Adah, borne 
Upon the litter, cried, I hear his voice. 
The voice of Cain, low sighing, and the sound 
As of a hound faint baying in the dells 
Of mountains distant far. And making haste, 
The faster sped the night, the tribesmen gained 
At last a level space whereon the light 



CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 103 

Of stars unbroken fell, where all around 
The shafts of high trees rose, with broad above 
Their spreading branches thrown, and verdure deep 
Was on the little plain. 

And in the midst, 
On couch of grasses sere and brown, there lay 
The withered form of Cain ; upon his brow 
Shone glamour of the starlight, and his eye 
Was kingly as he gazed, but loose his hand 
Lay idle by his staff. Low at his feet 
The gaunt hound wakeful watched. Upon his breast. 
Untouched by breath of wind, his tangled beard 
Lay spread like drifted snow. 

And as they gazed, 
The tribesmen faltered and their cries went forth : 
And Lamech, sightless led, knelt low anear 
The weary form of Cain. And by his side 
They sank the litter down, and Adah's hand 



104 CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 

Was on Cain's forehead laid and Adah's voice 
Bore words of comforting. 

At last he spoke, 
The toil of Cain is ended, and his days 
Are fading into dark. A little while 
He paused, and spake again. 

Yea ! I have known 
Through many centuries unto the earth 
The changes come and go. And evil came 
And wrath and wrong and terror, and no more 
Is peace within the world. Yet it shall come 
Through many marvels and through evil days 
And anger of the Lord. Ay ! Year by year 
The waters of the mighty seas are borne 
By ardor of the sun and sweeping winds, 
And gather, in the snows, and in the earth 
Are hidden deep away. So, year by year, 
The lowland herbs upon the heights are grown 



CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 105 

And river birds are nesting in the hills. 

Where long ago I Lamech's children sought, 

Upon the banks where pleasant waters flow, 

Beside my way I found a hoary stone 

Engraven with the stars, for so of old 

The sons of Seth were wise and marked the place 

Of all the stars on high. Then curiously 

I gazed upon the skies and, lo ! no more 

The stars were where they were. And all is changed 

And changing on the earth, and in the skies 

The hosts of heaven change. 

'Twas so I said 
And, pondering, I slept ; and in my sleep 
A dream came to me and I saw the earth 
And all that is therein : and high the waves 
Did rise upon the mountains, and the hills 
Were hidden by the waves, and slowly rose 
Unceasing in their strength the mighty seas ; 
And all the mountains vanished, and I cried 



io6 CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 

Lo ! They are gone, my children, and again, 
I cried, lo ! they are gone who sprang from Seth, 
Seth, he, my brother, who for Abel slain 
Was come into the world. And in my woe 
I cried unto the Lord, and, lo ! my dream 
Was changed, and on the waters drifting far 
Mine eyes beheld the reeds that long ago 
I launched upon the billows, and, behold ! 
Upon them were the children Adah bare, 
And those of Zillah, and the sons of Seth, 
His shepherd daughters, and his lingering flocks, 
Yea, and the beasts that in the wilderness 
Had known the face of Cain, and with them lay 
Upon the reeds the herds that Jabal drave 
With burdens borne upon them, and my heart 
Went forth in thankfulness. 

And I awoke. 
Then all the air was still and all around 
No leaf stirred in the branches. Calm the stars 



CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 107 



Looked down upon me, and there seemed to fall 

From out the firmament a tender voice 

That whispered slowly. Yea, the time hath come 

And Cain is penitent, so may he know 

The marvels yet to be. 

Then on my eyes 
Soft sleep did come again, and in my dream 
The waves receded and the land came forth ; 
And on our plains, yea, far beyond the seas 
That lapse upon the borders of our land, 
I saw fair harvests gleam, and cities rise : 
And on the narrowed waters proudly rode 
Fair wide winged birds that, floating, proudly bore 
From shore to shore the harvests and the yield 
Of forges like to Tubal's, save their smoke 
Was as the storm clouds that the strong wind drives 
Ere fire doth cleave the skies. 

Then nearer drew 
The distant lands unto me and I heard 



loS CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 

Soft voices of their peoples, sweet and clear 
As was the voice of Abel ; and I saw 
Their faces in the light, and on them lay 
The peace that Abel knew. And in my heart, 
Lo ! he doth live, I said, his gentleness 
Is heritage of these. 

So, in my dream 
I, Cain the wanderer, the marvel saw 
And I was comforted. 

Again I woke. 
Mine heart was fain that Lamech came to me, 
That Lamech's people came, and Enoch's sons, 
So they might hearken me : and so my voice 
Rose crying on the air, for I am old 
And now my day is ending, and the dark 
Is coming fast to me. 

On Adah's knee 
Cain's hoary head was lain ; his eyelids sank 



CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 109 



And thinner grew his face. And silent all 
The tribesmen knelt around him. On his brow 
Fell the dim starlight. To the zenith far 
The streaming light arose that at the eve 
Had waver'd in the sky. Upon his face 
There came a stony calm. And Adah wept, 
And all the warriors wept, and from the wild . 
Loud wailing rose, for all its denizens 
Had known the heart of Cain. 

But grief most strong 
Must cease, as mighty storms must fail and faint 
And fainter grow till calmness comes and gleams 
In transitory peace while yet the boughs 
Wind broken quiver in the eddying winds, 
And so the wailing ceased. The tribesmen digged 
With spears inverted till a grave they made 
Full deep and broad, and in it laid the turf 
Clean cloven from the ground, and carefully 
Upon it spread the fleeces from the spears 



CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 



The lowland shepherds bore. The form of Cain 
They placed within the grave with gentle hands, 
And spread the fleeces that were borne on high 
By Tubal's stalwart sons, upon his breast 
To shield him from the loam. x\nd noting then 
The faithful hound was silent and no breath 
Came from his nostrils, they within the grave, 
Beside the feet unshod, low laid him down, 
As in the wilderness his watch he kept, 
To guard the sleep of Cain. 

And over all 
They heaped the mellowed earth. From all around 
Of boulder stones they brought, and built a cairn 
With sides steep sloping, one toward the place 
Where clear the north star shone, and southward one 
Toward the billowy seas ; and one there was 
Fair faced toward the west where late arose 
The lambent star of even, and one lay 
Aslant toward the dawn. And like to this, 



CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 



Spake Tubal as they toiled, shall be the tombs 
Of conquerors and kings until the world 
Shall know of man no more. 

And gray and cold 
The daylight broke upon them as they turned 
Unto the land of Lamech and the plains 
That lay beyond his fields. And noon was high 
In clear calm skies when from the hills they saw 
The shepherd tents below. 

Then every one 
Of all the lowland tribesmen went his way, 
And slowly night drew near ; and silently 
Unto his hearthfire Lamech's children came. 
And Lamech by it brooded, by his side 
The strong limbed Zillah stood, and on her couch 
Lay Adah wearied, and afar the wind 
Made murmur with sere leaves, and with the grass 
That higher grew where long ago was spread 



CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 



The dead haulm of the vines. The firehght shone 
Fitful upon their faces. Silently — 
Save for the low sound of the wind — the night 
Grew deeper and more dark. Then Adah brake 
The sorrowing silence, and her voice was clear 
As tones of one rejoicing. Nevermore 
Upon the earth shall dawn of morning come 
Unto the eyes of Adah. 

Come to me, 
Oh ! Zillah, kneel as long ago we knelt 
Ere these our bearded sons their infant lips 
Had touched upon our breasts. And dream not thou 
That our fond thought was vain. Through centuries 
The guilt of Cain shall soften, for the toil 
Of Tamech's children in its yield shall bear 
For him atoning harvests. 

Though the floods 
As Cain beheld them in his dream shall rise 



CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 



Above the mountain summits, softly borne 
Shall men outride the tempest, for his thought 
Hath safety shaped for them. And everywhere 
The craft he taught our children, in the fields 
And in the forest wilds, and by the shores 
Of far resounding seas, and on fair plains 
That know no shadows of high branching boughs 
And in waste places of the earth, and far 
Toward the northern stars in lonely isles, 
And lands afar where slow the sunset burns 
Beyond our farthest ken, within the hearts 
Of men shall bear its fruitage, and their hands 
Shall gather golden harvests all their days 
And earth be glad to them. 



And lest the woe. 
The travail and the tempest yet to be. 
Bring death unto our race, and so be lost 
The mighty wisdom of the tribes of Cain, 
Let their fair daughters wed the lowland swains 



1 14 CHILDREN OF LA ME CH. 

Who guard the flocks of Seth, and let their sons 
Wed with the maidens, who with ardent eyes, 
Behold the stars and in the far skies trace 
Their paths above the plains ; and so the seed 
Of Cain shall linger to the latest day 
That shines upon the world. 



And all the thought 
Of all the sons of Cain shall give its yield 
According to its kind, and all the toil 
Of Lamech's sons, that greater harvests bring. 
Lighten the woe of men. And all the peace 
That, joyous born of plenty, to the earth 
Shall come because of them, shall multiply 
According to its kind. And men shall learn 
Because of them, to trace the wayward winds. 
And mark the slender beetles of the clay ; 
To note the creeping herbs, and in the stones 
find many marvels, till their voices rise 



CHILDREN OF LAMECH. 115 



In praise unto the Lord that He hath wrought 
The wondrous world for them. 



And at the last, 
When all the glory of the Lord shall shine 
In calm clear light above the lurid flame 
That all the earth consumes, and at His feet 
They who have waited long for judgment come. 
The sons of Lamech and their sons shall bear 
To Him their offering of all their toil 
Hath done of good to men, a sacrifice 
For all the guilt of Cain. 

And from the Throne, 
The Throne of the great Lord, shall come a voice, 
He hath atonement made through Zillah's sons 
And through the sons of Adah. Then shall rise 
The voice of Abel with the throngs that sang 
With morning stars together ; and the guilt 



1 1 6 CHILDREN OF LAM ECU. 

Borne through the weary years shall fail and die, 
And Cain, redeemed, shall stand before the Lord. 

Pale grew her lips and thin her veined hands, 
Gray was the shadow on her face that crept 
And on her closed eyes. And on her brow 
Serene and soft the star of even shone. 



FINIS. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



015 871 819 4 • 



